If you are looking for a book to learn how to tie married featherwings, see if you can find a copy of Ron Alcott's BUILDING SALMON FLIES. It is no longer in print, but it is the best, step-by-step married wing tying book I've ever seen, and it is available for around $15.00 US on the used book market.

Willie gunn I have been tying flys for trout and salmon for 8 years on and off but dont get the time to get to a good standard. Most of the flys that I tie are either copies of ones that I have bought or made up patterns, some of which have been quite sucessful. What are the best tying materials to buy that would cover a wide range of patterns? as some of the materials can be rather expensive (i have a very limited budget). Thanks for everyone else that has posted a reply, the info has been of good help.

Tie hairwing patterns, leave off jungle cock if called for, use squirrel, bear hair, and synthetics, use old style Mustad hooks (36890 about $10 per K or about $0.15 per hook in lower quantities)), and you should have no problem keeping your tying on the reasonable side.

Wilbert, So you know how to just really need to know the patterns. I tie to catch fish not fishermen, my heads are big and untidy and sometimes encroach on the eye, but they seldom fall to bits and they work. I start with the pattern from either -
Successful Modern Salmon Flies Peter Mackenzie-Phillips which has a how to and the recipes.
Trout & Salmon Flies of Scotland Stan Headley which gives me most patterns.

I couldn't attempt a feather wing in fact seldom use feathers at all, often replacing hackles with artic fox. pure philistine. I have recently modified the Willie Gunn by just tying the wing direct onto a tube, no body at all. So I have two colours an aluminium Willie Gunn and a brass Willie Gunn. Do the salmon mind? I'm not sure if the ones I've been catching are just coming to tell me the flies should have a gold ribbed black body.

Materials I use most, are bucktails in mixed colours, artic fox again mixed colours and a few sparkly bits

Malcolm' There is more to life than Willie Gunns! I believe someone once said something to the effect of "variety is the spice of life". Or to put it another way "it would be a sad state in the affairs of a man to limit himself solely to but one whisky for the entirety of his life".

If you are looking for a book to learn how to tie married featherwings, see if you can find a copy of Ron Alcott's BUILDING SALMON FLIES. It is no longer in print, but it is the best, step-by-step married wing tying book I've ever seen, and it is available for around $15.00 US on the used book market.

Actually Igor it was re-released 10/31/2004, only about a month ago, so cut the guy some slack.

That being said I just got this and it is most excellent. By far the best book I have seen for a beginner looking to getting into tying the classic flies. Lots of goods hints and tips throughout that the other books skip over.

Willie gunn do you tie most of your patterns on tubes or do you tie trebles,doubles and singles too?? I have just started tying tubes and find them much less hastle to tie, I find small trebles are a nightmare (10's and smaller). I have most of the materials that everyone has mentioned but no jungle cock. Is it worth buying some as i think flies look much better with it but do the fish?

In the cold water I use tubes mostly, but in the summer months use trebles,doubles.and singles. Certainly when using a fast sinking line and loosing a lot of flies I worry less with tubes.
Jungle cock is nice, certainly adds something to a fly, I think the fish like it too, but what do I know.

Willie gunn do you tie most of your patterns on tubes or do you tie trebles,doubles and singles too?? I have just started tying tubes and find them much less hastle to tie, I find small trebles are a nightmare (10's and smaller). I have most of the materials that everyone has mentioned but no jungle cock. Is it worth buying some as i think flies look much better with it but do the fish?

Thanks

I also hate tying on small trebles. I find it far too time consuming and normally end up with a dozen hook pricks on my thumb and forefinger.

I have now resorted to tying most of my salmon flies on doubles.

I find them so much easier to on.

Personally I think they swim far better than trebles.

And over the years I have found that doubles land just as many, if not more fish than trebles. Whether it is because fish can leaver the treble out easier with the extra hook is up for debate?

Gordon

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It is because we dare not venture they are difficult.